# 4 University of Idaho students stabbed to death \[November 16, 2022\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 17, 2022, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063 "2022-11-17T04:49:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Latimera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/latimera/32/497_2.png) [@Latimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Latimera)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/101 "2022-11-25T00:07:24Z")
The killer doesn’t have to have cut him/herself to leave DNA evidence. DNA can be recovered from any item they left behind (such as a weapon or hat). Plus trace DNA can be identified from pretty much any surface they came in contact with, such as doorknob. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/102 "2022-11-25T00:14:18Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > One way in which this occurs is when the killer has cut himself and drips blood, either on the way to the bathroom to clean up or while exiting. Low-velocity drips tend to form characteristic patterns that differ from those of blood cast off during a struggle. That’s a good point. If he was dripping blood it would lead away from the crime scene and away from static blood evidence. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/103 "2022-11-25T00:53:34Z")
I’m a Redditor, and I have yet to see Hunter Biden referenced in any stories related to this. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/104 "2022-11-25T00:58:34Z")
I personally believe it will be solved, and when it is, it’s going to be a complete shock to almost everybody. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/105 "2022-11-25T02:05:21Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > it’s going to be a complete shock to almost everybody. Nah. Ex, stalker, smitten. Easy-peasy. I don’t buy into the ‘Random Advantageous Killer’ thing. No way. Too tight of a time lime. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/106 "2022-11-25T02:17:59Z")
> [@Latimera](#): > > The killer doesn’t have to have cut him/herself to leave DNA evidence. What I believe I’ve read is the people in the house often held parties. Or isn’t this true? So if the killer might say he came to a party at the house–and if no one recognizes him he can say he crashed it. And that is how his DNA was left. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/107 "2022-11-25T15:04:02Z")
Wouldn’t the DNA from the killer need to be on file somewhere in order to get this “match” being speculated about here? Even if they can determine a stranger’s DNA is present, if that DNA is unknown on record, how does it help point to an individual? I know forensic geneology could be used, but even then DNA from someone in the killer’s family needs to be on record. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/108 "2022-11-25T15:14:04Z")
Will this “party house” continue to be occupied by students? The lurid history of F.S.U.'s [Chi Omega](https://oddstops.com/location.php?id=46) sorority house hasn’t stopped generations of students from making it their home. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/109 "2022-11-25T15:18:16Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Wouldn’t the DNA from the killer need to be on file somewhere in order to get this “match” being speculated about here? No, it doesn’t have to be the killer himself–it can be a distant relative. Read up on how the Golden State Killer was found: > **[The untold story of how the Golden State Killer was found: A covert operation...](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-12-08/man-in-the-window)** > > Subscriber exclusive: Of the many mysteries that surround the Golden State Killer, one of the most consequential is exactly how authorities caught Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. four decades after his murders began. > **[Joseph James DeAngelo | Investigation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_James_DeAngelo#Investigation)** > > Before officially connecting the Original Night Stalker to the East Area Rapist in 2001, some law-enforcement officials (particularly from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department) sought to link the Goleta cases as well. The links were primarily due to similarities in modus operandi. One of the already-linked Original Night Stalker double murders occurred in Ventura, 40 miles (64 km) southeast of Goleta; and the remaining murders were committed in Orange County, an additional 90 miles (14 On J... ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/110 "2022-11-25T15:54:58Z")
DNA is certainly an uphill battle. On a different note, most people aren’t aware of how much digital information can be linked together. It’s a matter of establishing a starting point. I’ve talked with someone that owns a company that does aerial surveillance for cities. It’s really amazing how they are able to track someone’s movement. Obviously that isn’t available in this case but what I found interesting in the conversation was how they were able to seek out private cameras to enhance an investigation. What I see happening is a visual review of known locations of the kids to look for someone who shows up in more than one location. They can then track those people using public and private cameras. None of that would require a search warrant If a suspect can be established well enough then they can then get a court order to search for financial transactions along with phone, computer, and car data. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/111 "2022-11-25T17:34:40Z")
On the killer cutting himself issue, the police are classifying the weapon as a Bowie/Rambo type of knife. Blades like that have a guard on them to stop your hand from sliding forward onto the blade. The ones that cut themselves are the ones using kitchen knives etc. that have no guard. I’d also like to know what is considered a “party house”. Depending on the neighbors, it could be a constant thing or one party a month. There’s a reason college housing is usually grouped together, non-students don’t want to live where loud music/drinking/drugs are going on with any regularity. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/112 "2022-11-25T17:44:48Z")
> [@mordecaiB](#): > > On the killer cutting himself issue, the police are classifying the weapon as a Bowie/Rambo type of knife. Blades like that have a guard on them to stop your hand from sliding forward onto the blade. The ones that cut themselves are the ones using kitchen knives etc. that have no guard. Caveats include whether authorities are sure about what type of knife was used 🤨 , and the degree of struggle that took place. Accidental cuts to the attacker can’t be readily ruled out. Besides, at least one Ka-Bar knife seller has this disclaimer on their website: “…items are not to be used as weapons or to cause bodily harm or damage to personal property in any way.” So that undoubtedly rules out such a knife being used in this crime. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/113 "2022-11-25T17:57:09Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > So that undoubtedly rules out such a knife being used in this crime. Damn, you got me there, I should have done some more research! 😀 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/114 "2022-11-25T18:30:14Z")
I suspect we’re also seeing the “CSI effect” here. Lots of people in general have an unrealistic expectation of how many resources can be applied to any given case, how equivocal or unequivocal the evidence gathering is, how much the crime scene is inherently muddled or contaminated, how much luck & skill there is in connecting the various dots, etc. On TV there’s always enough data, the database searches always turn up a short list of suspects, there’s always a test for the relevant chemistry, someone always sees & collects the one fiber that unravels (heh) the case, etc. Reality, like a typical 4-college kid house, is rather more messy and far more chaotic. e.g. if the kids haven’t vacuumed the floors in 6 months, there’s fiber & skin & whatever from the last 6 months-worth of residents and guests in there. Good luck picking the killer’s needle out of that haystack of bio-residue. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/115 "2022-11-25T19:52:06Z")
News reports say there was no sexual assault. That is one horror that wasn’t inflicted on the victims. It also minimizes physical contact with their killer. Sweat, hairs, skin etc. probably won’t be found on the victims. That’s another obstacle for forensics. Some victims had defensive wounds. Perhaps there’s evidence under the fingernails. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/116 "2022-11-27T15:52:17Z")
I found it odd that police were asking the public for camera/video images after 3am. Midnight or earlier would seem more appropriate. the murderer could have entered the house prior to the victims arrival and hid until they settled in. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/117 "2022-11-27T16:34:39Z")
Perhaps they’re looking for video of the murderer leaving? And maybe they think he would be less careful after? ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/118 "2022-11-27T18:01:52Z")
Dewey: I think most of us would agree that one should look for both possibilities: entering and leaving. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/119 "2022-11-27T18:03:28Z")
Given that this was a party house, perhaps the murderer arrived in a crowd but everyone else cleared out earlier, so any video of someone leaving after 3am would only be the murderer. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063/120 "2022-11-27T18:43:45Z")
I think they would want to see everybody arriving/departing the area. The house should have been empty with nobody home so that makes it even more important to see who was in the area prior to the murders. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-university-of-idaho-students-stabbed-to-death-november-16-2022/975063.md?page=7)